Performance Details

Department of Public Safety - Criminal Justice Information Systems Program

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Mission

Provide and maintain centralized criminal record and identification information.

Core Services

• Ensure arrest/charge information is received by the repository within five working days.
• Ensure sex offenders known to the Department of Public Safety have provided required information.
• Reduce the instances of missing disposition information for criminal cases over two years old.

Mission Results	Core Services
A: Criminal history records are complete, accurate, and timely.  Details > TARGET #1: 100% of Alaska criminal history records, disposed within the last year, in the state repository are supported by positive fingerprint identification	A1: Ensure arrest/charge information is received by the repository within five working days.  Details > TARGET #1: 100% of arrest/charge information is received by the repository within five working days
Mission Results	Core Services
B: Information regarding statewide sex offenders is available to law enforcement and the public.  Details > TARGET #1: 100% of sex offender registrations are available online	B1: Ensure sex offenders known to the Department of Public Safety have provided required information.  Details > TARGET #1: 100% of sex offenders known to the department submit required documentation on quarterly or annual basis per AS 12.63 (Registration of Sex Offenders)
Mission Results	Core Services
C: State and national criminal justice information is available to state and private entities for use in determining employment or licensing eligibility.  Details > TARGET #1: State and national criminal justice information is released to authorized entities within 10 working days of receipt of the request	C1: Reduce the instances of missing disposition information for criminal cases over two years old.  Details > TARGET #1: 100% of missing dispositions for criminal cases over two years old are located and entered into the criminal history record repository.

Performance Detail

Target #1: 100% of Alaska criminal history records, disposed within the last year, in the state repository are supported by positive fingerprint identification Percentage of Alaska Criminal History Records Supported by Positive Fingerprint Identification Fiscal Year YTD Total Target FY 2019 70 100 FY 2018 66% 100% FY 2017 63% 100% FY 2016 66% 100% FY 2015 65% 100% FY 2014 68% 100% FY 2013 66% 100% FY 2012 69% 100% FY 2011 69% 100% FY 2010 66% 100% FY 2009 69% 100% FY 2008 70% 100% FY 2007 70% 100% Analysis of results and challenges: The table shows the percentage of disposed criminal charges added during the stated fiscal year for which positive fingerprint identification was made. Higher percentages by fiscal year indicate improved compliance with AS 12.80.060 (Fingerprinting). In FY2019, the target of 100% was not met, however the Department of Public Safety (DPS) continues to encourage and support local law enforcement agencies and the Department of Corrections (DOC) in the implementation of live scan fingerprint systems. Increased compliance with AS 12.80.060 will continue to depend on the commitment of the DOC and local law enforcement to obtain rolled fingerprints of arrested subjects every time an arrest occurs. DPS will work with these agencies and the Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board to improve compliance with the law. In FY2019, training was offered at several criminal justice and non-criminal agencies to help increase the accuracy of submitted fingerprint card submissions and to explain the importance of fingerprint submissions for criminal justice agencies.

Target #1: 100% of arrest/charge information is received by the repository within five working days % of Arrest/Charge Information Received by Criminal Records and Identification via Fingerprint Card Submission within 5 Working Days Fiscal Year YTD Total Target FY 2019 75% 100% FY 2018 69% 100% FY 2017 65% 100% FY 2016 73% 100% FY 2015 69% 100% FY 2014 67% 100% FY 2013 74% 100% FY 2012 79% 100% FY 2011 79% 100% FY 2010 77% 100% FY 2009 75% 100% FY 2008 77% 100% FY 2007 68% 100% Analysis of results and challenges: The records and identification bureau monitors and audits the quality and timeliness of fingerprints and demographic data submitted by booking agencies, and provides instruction to those requiring additional training on the proper completion of arrest fingerprint cards. In FY19, DPS staff with the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) Section provided onsite training to several criminal justice agencies throughout the state on using LiveScan devices, fingerprinting techniques, and the importance of obtaining fingerprints each time a person is arrested on new charges. Additionally, having a fully staffed team of fingerprint technicians allows for more timely processing of fingerprint card submissions; a 12-month training program was implemented in FY18 that resolved an historical recruitment and retention issue in these critical positions. One of the challenges for DPS has been the end of life of the existing criminal history audit application in FY19. Audits had been conducted annually on the records submitted to and entered into the criminal history repository to verify timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of records by partner agencies including state and local law enforcement, state and municipal prosecutors, the Courts, and the Department of Corrections. A new audit application developed by DPS programmers is currently in testing and should be in production in FY2020, at which point the repository audits will begin again.

Target #1: 100% of sex offender registrations are available online Methodology: This is measured by comparing the total number of known sex offenders in Alaska to the number of offenders whose records require additional research to determine registration duration or other issues. Percentage of Sex Offender Registrations Available On-line Fiscal Year Known Sex Offenders Requiring Research Percentage on Website FY 2019 3531 +0.09% 15 +50% 99.56% FY 2018 3,528 +1.67% 10 -28.57% 99.72% FY 2017 3,470 +1.67% 14 -22.22% 99.60% FY 2016 3,413 +3.42% 18 +38.46% 99.44% FY 2015 3,300 +4.23% 13 -45.83% 99.61% FY 2014 3,166 +2.49% 24 +50% 99.24% FY 2013 3,089 +4.32% 16 0% 99.48% FY 2012 2,961 +3.82% 16 -5.88% 99.50% FY 2011 2,852 +6.5% 17 -46.88% 99.40% FY 2010 2,678 +5.85% 32 +433.33% 98.80% FY 2009 2,530 6 99.76% Analysis of results and challenges: In nearly every case in which an offender moves into Alaska from another state, additional information must be obtained in order to determine the comparable Alaska statute for registration requirements. A recent Alaska Supreme Court ruling requires a statute to statute comparison to determine if the elements of the out of state statute for which an offender was convicted are comparable to an Alaska statute which would require registration. This level of analysis requires consultation with Department of Law staff for legal assessments. Aside from the legal assessments, program analysis and development has resulted in more efficient completion of research required to ensure accurate information on the Sex Offender Registration website and has reduced the number of offenders' convictions requiring research prior to posting on the website. The target goal of 100% has not been met. However, as policies and procedures are refined, the Sex Offender and Child Kidnapper Registration Office is becoming more proficient at obtaining required documentation and more efficient in completing registration requirement analysis on new registrants. Related links:    • Sex Offender Registry homepage

Target #1: 100% of sex offenders known to the department submit required documentation on quarterly or annual basis per AS 12.63 (Registration of Sex Offenders) Percentage of Sex Offenders in Compliance Fiscal Year Known Sex Offenders Offenders in Compliance Percentage Total FY 2019 3,521 -0.2% 3,320 -0.48% 94% FY 2018 3,528 +1.67% 3,336 +2.02% 95% FY 2017 3,470 +1.67% 3,270 -0.34% 94% FY 2016 3,413 +3.42% 3,281 +2.95% 96% FY 2015 3,300 +4.23% 3,187 +4.25% 96% FY 2014 3,166 +2.49% 3,057 +2.14% 97% FY 2013 3,089 +4.32% 2,993 +4.87% 97% FY 2012 2,961 +4.44% 2,854 +3.41% 96% FY 2011 2,835 +5.86% 2,760 +7.35% 97% FY 2010 2,678 +5.85% 2,571 +7.75% 96% FY 2009 2,530 -41.38% 2,386 -37.01% 94% FY 2008 4,316 +1.31% 3,788 +1.07% 89% FY 2007 4,260 3,748 88% Analysis of results and challenges: On July 25, 2008, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that the requirement to register as a sex offender for people who committed sex crimes prior to the enactment of the sex offender registration law violated Alaska's constitution. The number of offenders required to register under AS 12.63 decreased significantly in consequence. Since the court's ruling, each offender's registration requirement has been re-evaluated. The department works in coordination with local law enforcement agencies and the US Marshal’s Office to attempt contact with sex offenders who are out of compliance. This contact has resulted in a higher compliance rate. Collaborative efforts between the Marshal's Office, Department of Public Safety, and local law enforcement statewide to locate and contact all known sex offenders in the state and check their compliance have had a positive impact on the safety of Alaskans. A recent Alaska Supreme Court ruling requires the registry to implement a relief from registration process to allow registered sex offenders to appeal their registration requirements upon demonstration that they are no longer a threat to public safety or the community. This decision will have an impact on the Sex Offender Registration Office processes, but the full impact is unknown at this time as the appeal process for the relief from registration has not been determined or implemented. The Department of Public Safety is working in close coordination with the Department of Law to determine how best to establish this appeal process, which may require legislative intervention.

Target #1: State and national criminal justice information is released to authorized entities within 10 working days of receipt of the request Average Number of Days to Disseminate Criminal History Information by Criminal Records and Identification Fiscal Year YTD Total FY 2019 5 -16.67% FY 2018 6 -69.23% FY 2017 19.5 +290% FY 2016 5 -44.44% FY 2015 9 -75% FY 2014 36 +200% FY 2013 12 +200% FY 2012 4 +33.33% FY 2011 3 0% FY 2010 3 -97.2% FY 2009 107 +50.7% FY 2008 71 +115.15% FY 2007 33 Analysis of results and challenges: Through a significant re-engineering process, an additional fingerprint expert, temporary staffing reallocation, and intense staff effort, the Records and Identification Bureau (Bureau) remarkably improved processing time in FY2010. The Bureau was able to maintain this substantially reduced turnaround time in FY2011 and FY2012 and continues to assess processes and procedures to further reduce the time it takes to process a background check for employment or licensing purposes. However, in FY2014, significant staffing changes occurred resulting in a significant increase in the time it took to process fingerprints. FY2017, turnaround time was severely impacted by staffing shortages in both the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) Section and the Records Section. Staffing resources in the Records Section were readjusted in the latter part of FY2017, and a restructuring of the ABIS Section occurred in FY2018. In FY2019, the ABIS training program had their ‘graduate’ with a second one set to graduate in early FY2020. With staffing stability, it is anticipated that processing times may be further reduced, however, continues technical issues have had an impact. The DPS fingerprinting process is comprised of various programming components, with some key components based on significantly outdated technology platforms that have been a challenge for limited programming staff to resolve and continue to support. Federal grant funding will be sought to replace the outdated platforms in FY2020. Related links:    • Background Check Requests homepage

Target #1: 100% of missing dispositions for criminal cases over two years old are located and entered into the criminal history record repository. Number of Missing Dispositions from Charges Two to Six Years Old Fiscal Year # Missing Disposition % Change from Prior Year FY 2019 9,879 -1.12% -1% FY 2018 9,991 -9.51% -10% FY 2017 11,041 +21.05% 21% FY 2016 9,121 +3.44% 3% FY 2015 8,818 +2.56% 3% FY 2014 8,598 -36.66% -37% FY 2013 13,575 -10.98% -11% FY 2012 15,250 -16.55% -17% FY 2011 18,274 -9.48% -11% FY 2010 20,188 +10.28% 10% FY 2009 18,306 12% Analysis of results and challenges: Alaska Statute 12.62 requires the Alaska Court System and prosecuting agencies to report the disposition of a criminal case. Today, reporting of dispositions is excellent, but this has not always been true. The department has been able to assign a technician to locate and update missing disposition information, focusing primarily on felony arrest charges without a disposition noted in the criminal history repository. The chart (above) demonstrates the percent of change between fiscal years on the number of instances of missing dispositions at the repository for charges that are two to six years old. Analysis has shown that charges less than two years old that have missing dispositions in the repository are generally active cases. Locating dispositions on charges that are greater than six years old can be very difficult, if not impossible. Attempts to locate these dispositions are made if there is a pressing need. It may take weeks or months to locate a disposition that is very old. It has proven quite difficult to keep the grant funded position dedicated to locating and updating missing dispositions fully filled. Regardless, improvements in the receipt of dispositions from the court system, particularly in dismissed cases, have helped reduce the number of arrests in the repository without associated dispositions. The dedicated position has been filled, and will hopefully remain so for the duration of FY2020. With a fully trained staff member, the volume of work completed each month has been steadily increasing, resulting in fewer missing dispositions each month.

Current as of November 27, 2019